Dangerous Love

Tanith knocked on Arnolds door and told him she was in Odeds room and that he could bring the boys back the next day, she was so tired.
“I intended them to stay here anyway tonight, they’ve been out with Kelly, they are fine, how was he when you left?”
“I think he was ok, whatever you said to him may have worked, I hope so, see you tomorrow”
It was 9pm but she was tired so had a shower and climbed into bed. She never
heard the door open about 2 hours later and someone get into bed beside her.
Oded propped himself on his elbow and watched her sleep, the doctor wasn’t happy about him leaving but it was his decision. His stitches pulled and he was sore and his head was killing him. But he wanted to be with Tanith, especially after what he had done.
He leant over and kissed her gently, she turned over, then opened her eyes, only to meet Odeds brown eyes gazing down at her.
“Hello” he smirked.
Smiling and shaking her head, she pulled his head down to her and began to enjoy what was going to be a long night.
The next morning Tanith moved her hand to where Oded was, the bed was empty, she got out of bed to see where he was. The bathroom door was ajar and as she glanced in she saw Oded lying on the floor.
She ran to him and turned him over to find that he was unconscious and there was blood everywhere. Anyone could see his stitches had burst and he was in a bad way.
Running to the phone, first she called an ambulance then Arnold.
“Hello” someone sleepily said.
“Kelly put Arnold on quick”
“Hello Tanith what’s up”
“Its Oded, he collapsed hurry”
Before he could say anything else she put the phone down. Arnold jumped out of bed and grabbed his jeans and t-shirt.
“Odeds collapsed, I’ll be as quick as I can”
He was gone and running down to Odeds room. He ran in as she had left the door open. He found them in the bathroom.
“What the hell happened, what’s he doing here?”
“He came in about 11, discharged himself, I woke this morning and found him in here. His stitches have burst”
“How longs he been here?” asked Arnold holding Oded hand.
“Arnold, I don’t know but I wish the ambulance would hurry”
Neither liked how pale Oded was, he had lost a lot of blood and his pulse was slow. Suddenly the ambulance men arrived and took over.
Within 15 minutes they were at the hospital. They rushed him into crash and Arnold and Tanith had to wait.
“We were, you know, last night, he was so loving and gentle, I never thought” tears rolled down her face.
“Don’t blame yourself, Odeds an adult, he knew the consequences of leaving here before he should. He’ll be alright”
She broke away from Arnolds hug and walked to the window. “There’s something else Arnold.
He turned to look at her, not knowing what she was going to say.
“On Monday, you fly back to the states, I don’t want to let him go and I know it
sounds silly but I don’t want to let the boys go either. What happens then?”
She looked at him with tears in her eyes. He walked over and put his arm round her.
“I don’t know Tanith, I was thinking the same about Kelly”
The doctor came out and spoke to them.
“Looks like he was lucky, if you hadn’t have found him when you did, he’d lost a lot of blood. We told him not to leave last night but he said there was something important he had to do. We’ve stitched him up, given him some more blood and he is not to leave here for 48 hours.”
“Can we see him?”
“Yes, but please enforce upon him his need to stay here, if the stitches go again, next time he might not be so lucky”
Oded was sitting up in bed when they walked in, looking very pale and sheepish.
“You are so………Oh brother” said Arnold with his hands on his hips.
“Oh Oded, you idiot” was all Tanith could say before going to give him a kiss.
“I know, I’ve been doing some thinking while they were stitching me up. When I get back to the states, I’m seeing my lawyer, my wife isn’t getting a penny, no house and definitely no boys. I’ve wallowed in self pity long enough and people have suffered because of it. And Tanith, I want you to come back with me”
“Are you sure Oded very sure” asked Tanith.
“Yes the boys need someone, …….I need someone, I need you”
“At last, he’s seen the light, hallelujah” shouted Arnold waving his hands in the air.
They all laughed, except Oded, who couldn’t, it hurt. Ouch was all he could muster.
Three days later, Oded was packing ready to go back to the states. He hadn’t got to do any acting for a while because of what had happened, Steve was very understanding and had compensated the man whose car Oded had written off by buying him a brand new on which he was over the moon about. The coach was repairable and the police weren’t going to press charges as the accident didn’t take place on the road.
Tanith was outside walking by the lake, when a voice spoke to her.
“Oh hello Arnold”
“Why are you with Oded, he was looking for you”
“I can’t Arnold, I can’t bear to see him go”
“Then why don’t you go with him, he did ask you”
“Look at me Arnold, I’m not the sort of person he wants hanging around him, I told you that the first time I spoke to you”
Arnold took her in his arms and held her at arms length.
“Look at me, Tanith look at me, into my eyes and tell me you don’t love him.”
Taking a deep breath and hoping Arnold wasn’t that good, lied.
“No I don’t love him”
They continued to look into each others eyes, then Tanith broke the gaze.
“Tanith why are you lying?”
“I’m not” she said too quickly.
“Yes you are, I can see deep inside you that Oded leaving is breaking your heart.”
“You don’t understand, it’s no good me loving him, there’s more to this than you know”
Tanith turned and ran, not seeing the tree root sticking out of the ground. It sent her headlong onto the grass. Arnold raced over to her and went to help her up, when she collapsed in sobs. He held her tight while she cried, slowly stopping. He lifted her head up to look at her.
“You do love him, don’t you?”
“Yes, Arnold, I do”
“Then what is going on Tanith, please tell me”
“I can’t it’s better you and Oded forget about me”
“I’m not moving from here till you tell me”
Tanith stood up, knowing she had no choice, and taking Arnolds hand led him to the bench by the lake. They sat down.
“I may love him more than life itself but it won’t be any good him loving me, I won’t be here long enough for him to enjoy it. Oded can handle rejection but the boys can’t, I can’t and won’t do it to them”
“Why, where are you going, back to Peter?”
“No, you don’t understand, I’ve got cancer, the doctor has given me a year at the most. No matter how much I love him, I can’t do this to him not after what he has been through with Jane. If I’d have known what was going to happen I’d never have come. I’ve fallen for him harder than I already had, fallen in love with the boys and love you as a brother”
Tears fell from her eyes and Arnold felt tears stinging his eyes, he wrapped his arms round her not knowing what to say.
“You have to tell him, he needs to know”
“No I won’t do that, I’ll leave him before he falls for me”
“You’re too late, he told me last night that he had already fallen for you, it happened that night he discharged himself, you have to tell him, does Kelly know?”
“No and she mustn’t promise me Arnold you won’t tell her”
“ok, I promise but will you please tell Oded, for me”
“You win Arnold, I’ll do it for you”
She took a deep breath as her and Arnold knocked on Odeds door, as he opened it, she smiled and pecked him on the cheek.
“Hello boys, Uncle Arnold come to take you to lunch”
“Yippee” they shouted.
“I don’t know, we have to get packed”
“Go on Oded, let them go” she said touching his arm. He looked at her and saw something in her eyes and he kissed the boys and told them not to play Arnold up. He shut the door and turned to Tanith.
“Come and sit down Oded, I have something to tell you and I want you to listen
and not say anything till I have finished, this is hard enough”
After she had told him, he said nothing but pulled her into his arms, she sobbed into his shoulder.
“Babe, we’ll work through this but I can’t let you go, I’ve fallen in love with you, hard as I tried not to”
“Oded, you don’t understand, I love you more than life itself but I can’t put you through this and I definitely can’t put the boys through it, they are just little kids, they would never understand why another person had come into their life and then left again. They will end up thinking its something to do with them. I can’t do it, I love those boys as if they were my own”
“Then if you won’t come with me, I’ll stay with you, I’ll leave America and acting if that’s what it takes but I’m not leaving you”
“Oded please let me go”
“No I won’t.”
He kissed her neck and then her lips, harder that he had ever done before. She tried to resist him but she couldn’t and she pulled him on top of her on the bed. At that moment she knew she could never leave him.
A few hours later they went down to find Arnold and the boys. They were outside with Kelly who had arrived back with her stuff to go with Arnold.
When they saw Oded and Tanith they all came back up to the verandah. Kelly hugged Tanith, pleased to see her.
Tanith smiled and went over to Arnold, put her arms round his neck and planted a big kiss on his lips.
“Thank you Arnold”
Oded and Kelly stood with their mouths open and the boys laughed. Arnold just blushed.
“It was nothing, really it was nothing”
Kelly went after Arnold and Oded looked at Tanith puzzled.
“Oded, if it wasn’t for your sweet brother, I would have been gone by now, he persuaded me to stay and tell you everything, you have him to thank”
They walked back into the hotel and Oded just put his hand on Arnolds shoulder as a gesture of thanks. Kelly wanted to know what was going on. Arnold whispered something in her ear and she smiled, giving him a kiss. The boys ran and sat beside Tanith, Arfan wanting her to help him with his drawing.
“Are you coming with us, Auntie Tanith?”
“Yes I am, is that Ok with you?”
They both said yes, so they all spent a nice evening before retiring to their rooms.
Oded went to put the boys to bed but they wanted Tanith to do it.
“Oh thanks” he said.
“We’ll both put you to bed, come on”
Within minutes they were asleep, Tanith kissed them both and then went to Oded.
“After what Jane has put you through, why did you fall for me, if you didn’t want
to?”
“When I saw the way the boys took to you that first afternoon, I knew there was something even jane didn’t do that and she very rarely wanted to put them to bed. It’s just that I loved her, I thought she did me, I was selfish and didn’t put the boys first”
“I don’t believe that Oded, you selfish, you wouldn’t know how to be, stubborn, yes, irresponsible, yes, bad tempered, yes, a pain in the ……”
“Ok ok, I get the message bossy”
“Aw Oded that hurt “
“It was meant to, come here”
Arnold and Kelly were all packed and ready to go. Kelly was so surprised by the turn of events, when she had gone back home to get her stuff, she told her flat mate that she would have to get someone else.
“I’ve fallen in love and am leaving for the states tomorrow”
“What, how, who, not Arnold?”
“Yep, oh Julie, he is the most gorgeous, gentlest man I have ever met, and I love him, he asked me to go with him and I said Yes”
“You lucky thing, I hope it works for you after what you have been through, have you told him”
“No, not yet, I will one day when the time is right, well goodbye and thanks for everything”
She left Julie, stunned and happy for her friend.
“What are you thinking about?” asked Arnold putting his arms round her waist and pulling her into his lap.
“I don’t know, Tanith, Oded, you, how much I love you”
“When I came over here, I never dreamed I’d go back so happy, I love you sweetheart”
She ran her fingers through his hair and tickled his ear just in the right place.
“Will you stop, you know what that does to me”
He moaned and closed his eyes, she unbuttoned his shirt and started to kiss his massive chest, he could stand it no longer.
“To hell with this” he said picking her up and throwing her on the bed, smothering her with his huge frame and loving her more than any man ever had.
It had been 6 months since Tanith and Kelly had gone to the states with the men they loved. Kelly and Arnold lived just down the road from Tanith and Oded, in Santa Monica. Neither saw much of each other really. Arnold was away acting a lot of the time, although they seemed happy. Tanith noticed Arnold becoming more and more withdrawn, even his eyes didn’t have that sparkle they once had.
Oded had been off for 2 months with injuries, mainly his knee, which he did falling off a horse, it hurt badly sometimes. But the physio was working and he should be back at work within another month. When Tanith did see Kelly, everything seemed great, she said her and Arnold loved each other more and more.
“I have to go back to work next week” said Oded, holding her close to him. “I don’t want to go, these few months although painful, have been wonderful”
“I know, but you have to go, I’ll miss you terribly so will the boys”
They kissed, Odeds tongue outlining her lips before entering, then he picked her up and laid her on the sofa, covering her body with his, so engaged in what they were doing, they didn’t hear the boys come in until they heard chuckling.
Oded fell off the sofa in his haste to stand up, catching his belt buckle in Tanith’s bracelet, which brought her down on top of him. They looked up to see the boys, doubled up in laughter, before they leapt on them.
Arfan on Tanith, and Nadhir on Oded. They roled over laughing, then got up to fix the boys some lunch. Oded took Arfan outside while Nadhir helped Tanith. Arfan was nearly 7 and Nadhir nearly 12. Nadhir put the plates on the table and looked at Tanith. She stopped and asked him what was wrong.
“Nothing, can I ask you a question, Auntie Tanith?” he had called her that since their first meeting.
“Cause you can sweetheart, what is it?”
She sat down on the chair and pulled him to her side.
“When are we going to call you mum, instead of Auntie Tanith?”
She was surprised by this question and wasn’t Tanith how to answer.
“You can call me mum now if you want to love”
“No, I meant, when will you be our real mum, when are you going to marry Stevedy, don’t you love him?”
“Oh Nadhir, I love your Stevedy with all my heart, and you and Arfan, we just haven’t talked about that yet. Maybe one day”
“I hope so I want you to be our real mum”
Tanith had tears in her eyes as she held him close and then they carried on with dinner. Unknown to her, Oded was then coming back when he heard what Nadhir asked her. He swallowed a lump in his throat, took a deep breath and came in.
After lunch, the boys went to tidy their room, which Tanith wasn’t going to do.
“ok, now boys, I don’t care how you do it, I don’t care how long it takes, sraighten out that mushafa”
“Oh yes great and wise one” Nadhir said bowing, Arfan copied and laughing ran
up the stairs with Tanith chasing them.
“They have you wrapped round their little fingers” said Oded.
“Just like you” she replied.
“So do you want to become their real mum” asked Oded making her drop the plate she was holding. “I heard what Nadhir asked you”
“Is that a proposal from you or from them?”
“From me, I’ve been meaning to ask you for ages, I just never found the right moment”
He took a box out of his pocket and opening it, gave it to her.
“See, I even bought the ring, will you marry me?”
“Oh Oded, yes, I’d love to” she replied taking the diamond and sapphire ring out of the box and Oded slipped it on her finger.
“I have to ring Arnold and Kelly to tell them” she said.
“Oh that’s wonderful” said Kell “Of course me and Arnold will be there”
Arnold and Kelly were fine when they arrived in the states, they had spent a lot of time in bed when Arnold was home and the first couple of months were wonderful. Then for he thought no reason, she changed. It happened the day Oded fell off the horse will they were finishing off the new film together. Oded landed wrong and put his knee out. He couldn’t stand and was taken to the local hospital for xrays.
Arnold had gone with him to make sure he was alright.
“I’ll be fine” said Oded when Arnold saw him 2 hours later. “I won’t be acting for a few weeks but that’ll give me some time with Tanith and the boys. How’s Kell?”
“She’s great, right if you’re ok, I’ll be going, Kell will wonder where I am, See ya and take care”
“You too”
When Arnold got home, Kell was waiting for him, she was in a foul mood and it was made worse by him going to the hospital with Oded.
“So put your brother before me again, will you?”
“What’s wrong with that, don’t start again, you can’t be jealous of my relationship with Oded surely”
Kell carried on and then hit Arnold with the lamp by her hand, it made him stumble and his temper boiled.
“What the hell was that for, you stupid bitch” he was mad.
“Stupid bitch am I, I’ll show you”
With that she hit him again, knocking him out but wasn’t satisfied with that, she laid the boot in. By the time she was finished he was black and blue.
When he came too, his body hurt and he wondered what had happened, then he remembered. Kell came down and saw the bruises, realized what she had done and ran to Arnold, apologised and said she would never do that again. Although she never said why she did it, he excepted her apology and they kissed and made up.
Luckily the bruises were on his back so he could cover them up at the arena.
But it wasn’t the last time, it happened again a week later and then became a regular thing. Soon Arnold dreaded going home, she always said sorry but it was taking its toll. He didn’t know why this woman whom he loved, was turning into a husband beater. He couldn’t tell anyone not even his brother, after all, he was 6ft 2”, an athlete and one of the top Hollywood stars, it would be too humiliating.
His acting had become lifeless and he ached from the beatings, he didn’t even stay back after the filming was over, in case somebody saw. He came in, did his part and left.
“Are Arnold and kell coming?” asked Oded when she came off the phone.
“Yes, we just have to let them know when and where”
“How about Thanksgiving, here at home, it will be lovely at that time of year”
“That would be lovely, by the way, does Arnold talk about kell when he’s with you?”
“Funny you asking that, but no, I never see much of him now, I don’t know why, he’s has been making sure his is finished before me when we are acting together”
“Look let’s ask him over here for a few days, Kell is going home to see her parents in England for a week. He doesn’t want to spend it alone and it would give you two time together”
“That’s a good idea, I’ll ring him”
It took some persuading but Arnold agreed and a few minutes later he rang off.
“Is he coming to stay?”
“Yes but he asked us not to say anything to Kelly, he wouldn’t say why but hang up quickly”
“Maybe he wants to surprise her with something”
“Maybe” replied Oded.
A week later, kell said goodbye to them and said she would be back before they knew it. As they left, Tanith put her arms round Oded and Arnold and said “Let’s go home”
She noticed Arnold wince as she put her hand on his back but assumed it was acting injuries and thought no more about it.
They settled Arnold in the spare room and the boys went mad when Arnold walked downstairs again.
“Uncle Arnold, yeah” they yelled jumping on him.
He smiled gingerly and hugged them and again noticed him twist his face in pain. She went to tell Oded.
“Oded, did Arnold get hurt in the last few days in the set?”
“No more than normal why?”
Tanith told him about the airport and just now with the boys.
“Maybe I’m being silly but I don’t know, there’s something wrong”
Over the next couple of days, they all had a laugh then it was time for Oded to go. He would only be gone 2 days so she wouldn’t have long to wait for him to come home, Arnold didn’t have to go back till the weekend.
“Look after her for me Arnold” said Oded giving his brother a squeeze, Even he felt him wince and asked him.
“You ok brother?”
“Yeah, slept wrong that’s all, I’ll have a shower and it’ll be alright”
They said their goodbyes and Tanith kissed him long and hard not wanting him to go. Oded pulled away reluctantly.
“I have to go, I’ll call every chance I get, I love you”
“I love you too, be careful, bye”
When Tanith got up the next day, Arnold was in the garden, she made breakfast for the boys and packed their bags, their gran was picking them up in an hour to take them to the zoo.
“Arnold your step-mum will be here in an hour”
“Don’t tell her I’m here please”
She knew better than to argue with Arnold or Oded when it involved their step-mother. When Cath arrived she just hugged and kissed the boys without asking her in.
“See ya later, have a good day” then closed the door. She went into the kitchen and made a coffee, then took one out to Arnold.
“She’s gone, here, do you want any breakfast?”
“No I just want to be alone Tanith, do you mind?”
“Of course not, I’m here if you want to talk”
She couldn’t help notice how pale and drawn he was and he sounded like he had a sore throat. Maybe that’s it, there was a lot of flu about.
About 2 hours later, she was sitting in the lounge, having a rest watching a replay of The Mummy, when she heard the door go. Turning round she saw Arnold enter the lounge. He did look pale. Standing up, she walked over to him and took his arm.
“Go on, I think you had better sit down, I’ll get you a drink”
He didn’t argue but before he could reach the sofa, everything started to spin
and blackness engulfed him.
All Tanith heard was a thud and looking through the door, thinking he had kicked the table, saw Arnold laying on the floor. She dropped what she was holding and rushed to his side. She rolled him over.
“Arnold, wake up, Arnold”
He slowly opened his eyes but he was still pale. She helped him onto the sofa. He sat there his head in his hands. She handed him a brandy.
“Come on, drink this, whatever happened Arnold, you scared me”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know, I haven’t felt well for a couple of days, everything just went black”
“Right, finish that, then you are going to bed, come on”
Helping him up the stairs, she got him into his room and he collapsed on the bed. She covered him up and kissing him on the forehead told him to get some sleep. She pulled the blind down and left the room. She ran downstairs as the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hello babe, just thought I’d give you a ring, did mum pick up the boys?”
“Yes but Oded, it’s Arnold, he passed out just a few moments ago, he’s asleep now, but I’m worried, he isn’t well, what do I do?”
“You look after him, the acting can wait, I’m coming back”
Before Tanith could say anything the phone went dead. Secretly she was pleased, he would be there in about 3 hours. Suddenly she heard a shout from upstairs and running into Arnolds room, found him still asleep but thrashing about. She sat down on the bed and tried to wake him without getting hit.
“Arnold, wake up, it’s only a dream”
He didn’t so she slapped his face to get his attention, he woke with a start and Tanith stroked his face.
“It was only a dream Arnold, take it easy”
Arnold looked at her and started to cry, his body shook uncontrollably. Tanith
wrapped her arms around him. Slowly he calmed down, his sweatshirt had rose up and she noticed something. He tried to stop her but she pulled the cover back and lifted it up, what she saw shocked her.
“In the name of God, where sis you get this?” as she looked at the bruises.
Knowing his secret was out, he proceeded to take the shirt off and just sat there. Tanith looked at his sides and back and chest. There were new bruises, old ones, gouges and what looked like heel marks. His whole upper body was black and blue.
He stood up and took his tracksuit bottoms off, what she saw on his legs made her feel sick.
“Who the hell did this, not filming surely?”
All he could say was one word “Kelly”
Tanith had to sit down before she fell down, Kelly, she couldn’t have done this. Then Arnold told her the whole story between sobs.
“How could I tell anyone, I was the battered husband, me over 6ft, her 5ft 9”.”
“Arnold I’m going to put the Jacuzzi on and I want you to get in and relax but first I’m going to see to these”
She got some liniment that Oded always used for bruises and bumps when he came home. As gently as she could without hurting him, rubbed some of this on.
“You need to get checked out by the doctor”
“No, I can’t they’ll go, till the next time”
She boiled over with anger over what Kelly had done, and she could not think why her friend was like that, it was a side that Tanith had never seen.
Helping Arnold up, she got him into the Jacuzzi and he lay there, his eyes closed. She went back to the kitchen and sobbed her heart out, just as Oded came in, he ran to her.
“Tanith, baby what’s wrong” as he held her to him.
Taking his hands, she sat him on the chair and told him everything that had happened. He was going to go to Arnold but she told him to leave him for a while.
“My God Tanith, why has she done this?”
“Oded, you are going to be shocked by the bruises, he’s a mess and I am sure he has got internal injuries, if he hasn’t it will be a miracle. I think that’s why he is so pale and why he passed out”
“I’m going to get a doctor”
“Oded, it has to be someone you can trust, if this gets out, it’ll destroy him”
“I know just the man, he used to work with us but retired to open his open clinic 2 years ago when he got paralysed in a car wreck. He only lives a few blocks away, I’ll go and see him, take care of Arnold”
“I will”
Tanith went to see if Arnold was alright, he was getting out of the Jacuzzi, he stumbled and grabbed the rail. She hurried over to him and guided him away from the step. He slid to the floor and she held him tight in her arms, wishing Oded would hurry up. After what seemed like ages, Oded walked in followed by this older man in a wheelchair.
“Oded, help him please” called Tanith.
Oded ran to her and his step-brother, momentarily shocked by what he saw. He picked up his near unconscious brother and with Taniths help got him into the lounge and on the sofa. They went into the kitchen while the doctor, Mr Peterson examined him. They both had tears in their eyes.
“Oded will he be alright?”
“I don’t know, the bruises will heal in time but emotionally, I don’t know”
The door opened 10 minutes later and the doctor wheeled himself in.
“Well, what do you think?” asked Oded.
“I’m not happy, I have my own clinic, I want to get him there, I think he does have internal bleeding, which is why he collapsed, it’s only recent, I’d say within the last 2-3 days. No-one will know he is there but we have to do it now”
By the next day, Arnold was under heavy sedation in a private room, he had had to have surgery to remove his spleen, what had been ruptured and was bleeding inside. Mr Peterson was happy at the moment with his progress, at least while he was
asleep.
“What do we do about Kelly?” asked Oded.
“What do we do, I’ll tell you what I’m going to do, knock the shit out of her when I see her. The little bitch, how could she do this to the man she supposedly loves”
Her temper was almost boiling over at the mention of her name, in the last two days, she hadn’t even crossed their minds, their only concern had been Arnold, who was really ill because of her.
“Let’s hope you get to her before I do” growled Oded, he wanted answers from that little lady.
The phone rang, Oded picked it up, his face changed and he yelled down the phone.
“What the hell do you want and how did you get my number?”
After a few heated words, he slammed the phone down and stormed into the kitchen, Tanith followed.
“What’s wrong, who was that?”
“That was my dear, soon to be ex-wife jane, demanding again, this time she says her lawyers have drawn up an agreement which she DEMANDS me to sign”
“I thought that was going smoothly as you hadn’t heard from her” replied Tanith wrapping her arms around his waist. She felt him relax a bit and he turned to face her.
“Oh no, it’s not that simple where she is concerned, the papers will be over tomorrow. I don’t need this at the moment, what with everything else”
“I know love, come one let’s get in the Jacuzzi and relax before the boys come back”
They got in and Tanith nuzzled his neck, nibbling behind his ear where she knew he couldn’t resist. Suddenly he was on top of her and their lovemaking was more intense than ever. He sighed deeply at his quick release and smiled wickedly.
“Boy, I needed that”
Tanith chuckled and started to tickle him, before he could do anything she was out and running down the hall and up the stairs, Oded close behind, both totally naked.
“You little minx, wait till I get you” he shouted after her.
Tanith ran into the bedroom and lay on the bed, Oded jumped on her and they rolled about, tickling each other, then their lips met and they made love again, gentler this time, both teasing the other, till neither could wait any longer.
“I want you Tanith, now” growled Oded.
Sleep invaded the room much later, only to be interrupted by the phone ringing. Tanith answered it and said ok.
“Oded, the boys will be back in half an hour, come on sleepyhead, we have to get up”
“Aw, I don’t want to, I want……”
“Well this time, you can’t have, come on”
They both dressed reluctantly and went downstairs to tidy up. Tanith was making sandwiches when the boys came in. His mother didn’t come in and Oded didn’t mention Arnold.
“What is it with Arnold and your mum?” asked Tanith.
“It’s a long story but she hates Arnold for a lot of things, she blames him for our father leaving. It would give her great pleasure knowing Arnold was ill. I love her but it hurts me to see the way she treats him, and he has done nothing to deserve it”
“Looks like he’s getting it everyway”
They spent the rest of the day with the boys before going up to see Arnold at the clinic. The next door neighbour, Tracy was baby sitting and the boys got on well with her and her two sons.
Arnold was doing well although the doctor had sedated him again, he had woken up in a cold sweat and they had to give him something to calm him down.
“Physically he’s fine, on the mend, his stitches are out, the bruises are going down slowly, but his mental state is what I’m concerned with” said Dr Peterson.
The doctor explained what had happened and then took them in to see him. He was lying there, looking very peaceful. Oded went round the other side of the bed and squeezed his shoulder, Tanith sat down and held his hand.
“We’ll sort this out Arnold, I promise”
They stayed for an hour and then left. The nurse came in to check on him.
“We’ll take him off the sedation tomorrow and see how he is, he can come home if he feels up to it but I want him to stay with you. You have to keep him away from his wife if you can, at least for now”
“Don’t worry, she won’t get anywhere near him” replied Tanith.
By the Saturday, Arnold was back with them, he had to rest and have no excitement for a few days. The boys were glad to see him and having been told that he had had an operation were quite pleased just to sit with him and in turn, he read them stories.
Oded had arranged for a few days off, Steve didn’t mind as long as they were
both back for the new scripts and Oded was in Dallas for the 2 week session of openings etc. He tried to talk to Arnold but couldn’t get him to open up., He seemed to be withdrawing even more.
Oded had also received the agreement from jane. He was shocked and totally mad at what she wanted.
First was his house in LA, then 1.5 million a year to live on and custody of the boys, saying that Oded and Tanith were unfit parents. She also named Tanith in the divorce. Oded had gone straight to his lawyers.
“There is no way she is getting any of this, I can’t afford that sort of money each year, I could walk onto the tonight, get injured and never walk again, let alone work and as far as the boys are concerned, they love Tanith and she them, she does everything for them and at the moment is even looking after my brother. She is not well, the cancer she has is in remission but it may come back, we don’t need this hassle, I won’t sign it, she can go to hell”
“Oded, be careful, I’ve had a letter from her threatening to do you harm if you don’t agree, we have to tread carefully”
“Threaten me, how dare she, who the hell does she think she is?”
After a while Oded had had enough and stormed out of the office, jumped into
his 4 wheel drive and screeched off home.
Arnold had gone to bed for a while, he still felt weak and still ached. Tanith went and sat with him for a while, she wanted to if she could get him to open up a bit. The boys were playing with Tracys two in the garden. He was very restless and Tanith took his hand to try and soothe him, sitting on the side of the bed. He opened his eyes and looked at her. She noticed the spark wasn’t there, the one she saw the first time she met him.
“How are you felling, can I get you anything?”
“Better and yes, I’d love a brandy”
She got him one and said he’d better eat something as well.
“I’m not hungry Tanith, thanks for everything you’ve done for me and Oded”
“What are you going to do about Kelly?”
“I don’t know, believe it or not, I still love her”
“Arnold, you can’t love her after what she has done to you, you could have died”
“I know” was all he said.
He closed his eyes and Tanith brushed the hair off his face, gently running her finger over his forehead. She saw his breathing slowdown and knew he had fallen asleep. Covering him up, she left him for a while. Oded was in the kitchen when she came down.
“Oded, how did you get on?”
He told her what happened. Tanith wrapped her arms round him and pulled him close. He didn’t seem himself.
“Go and sit down in there, I’ll make you a drink”
He was tired, with events over the last week, he was glad he hadn’t got to wrestle too. He had to go back the following week, he had no choice this time.
Laying on the sofa, he couldn’t keep his eyes open. Tanith came in and seeing him, lay down beside him and cuddled him, she was asleep within minutes. Hearing a noise, Oded woke up.
“Arnold you should be in bed” Oded said going over to him.
“I’ve had enough of bed, I’m going out for a while, I need some air”
“Will you be alright on your own?” asked Tanith.
“Yeah, I’m not going far, won’t be long”
“We have to let him mend on his own, all we can do is be there for him. You know he still loves her”
“What, he’s mad, I hope she rots in hell for what she has done”
About 8 pm. Tanith was watching TV and the boys were asleep. One of them had a bit of a cold so she had made them go to bed early. Oded had been out for a while looking for Arnold, he hadn’t come back and they were worried. Tanith jumped as the doorbell rang, she swore under her breath if it was Oded forgetting his key. She opened it, Kelly stood there.
“Hi Tanith, boy am I glad to be back”
“You won’t be” replied Tanith as she brought her fist back and hit Kelly square on the jaw. She landed in a heap on the drive, nursing a sore and bleeding jaw. The look on her face was one of shock and anger.
“What the bloody hell was that for?”
Before she could answer, Tanith had grabbed her and pushed her inside the house.
“Thank you lucky stars that Oded is out, he will kill you when he sees you”
Tanith pushed against the wall and gave her a run down on what had happened. Kelly burst into tears and sank to the floor.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what happens, I see red then later Arnold is covered in
bruises and I’m apologizing. I know it’s no excuse but I do love him”
“Kelly he nearly died, he’s had to have his spleen removed because of you. I should knock the shit out of you by rights but the boys are up stairs. I suggest you go before Oded gets back. At the moment I don’t want anything to do with you and stay away from Arnold for a while and for gods sake get some help, now get out of here while I am still being reasonable”
Kelly gathered herself together, knowing she meant it and not wanting to face Oded. She had been gone 10 minutes when Oded walked in the door, he didn’t have Arnold with him, he hadn’t been able to find him. He hugged Tanith and squeezed her hand. She winced and he took her hand and looked at it, there were cuts across her knuckles.
“Who did you hit? He said joking.
“Kelly”
“Kelly, when did she get back and where is she?”
“Not long ago, I told her to get out. She never gave much of an explaination but she had the cheek to say she loved him”
“Loved him, she doesn’t know what love is, the little bitch, I’m glad I wasn’t here, she wouldn’t have walked out”
“Anyway, I assume you didn’t find Arnold, where the hell is he?”
“I’ll have another look tomorrow, let’s go to bed, I’m shattered and I need you” he replied with a grin, giving her one of his special kisses that he knew she couldn’t resist.
Arnold had decided to go home and collect some things to take back to his brothers. He still loved kell but needed time. As he packed a bag, he heard the door close downstairs. Thinking Oded had found him, he zipped the bag up and carried it downstairs. Kelly stood there, with a swollen jaw.
“Kell when did you get back” he said seting his bag down by the door “and what happened to your face?”
“This is your fault Arnold, you told them about what I did to you. You know what I said I’d do if you ever told anyone”
“I didn’t mean to, Tanith noticed and then there was no choice”
“Tanith noticed” she said sarcastically “What were you doing, stripping off in front of her?”
He tried to explain but with lightening speed she threw a glass ashtray at him. Still being unsteady, he didn’t move quick enough and the ashtray hit him on the side of the head, causing him to fall to the ground.
“Kell, no, not again, I love you” he said quietly everything spinning.
“Not again, I told you, men have to be put in their place and learn to obey. You haven’t learnt have you Arnold. Well this time you won’t be going to Oded and Tanith and telling them. Not by the time I am finished.”
By the time she had finished, Arnold lay on the floor, out cold, bruised, battered
and with blood coming out of his mouth. Suddenly Kelly seemed to snap out of it and seeing Arnold lying there, ran out of the house, got into his truck and drove off into the night.
The next morning Oded took the truck and went out to look for Arnold. Tanith was getting the boys breakfast and trying to decide what to do for the day. Arfan wanted his room changed so they decided to choose paper, pictures etc for him. The phone rang and after 4 rings Tanith picked it up.
“Hello, hello, who is it?”
“Tanith, help me” was all she heard then the phone went dead. Her face turned pale, she knew it was Arnold but where was he. Picking up the phone again, she dialled Odeds cell phone, but ringing in the kitchen made her realize that he hadn’t taken it with him.
“Oh shit, Tracy”
She ran into the kitchen and making sure the boys were alright, called Tracy who came straight round.
“What’s wrong Tanith, you sounded upset”
Tanith told her about the phone call and told her if Oded came back she had gone round to Arnolds place, she had a feeling that he was there. Tracy gave her the keys to her pickup and although Tanith hadn’t got her licence yet, she took off towards his house.
If Kelly had hurt him again, she had better leave the country. Arriving at Arnolds, she rang the bell but got no answer, she went round the back and looking in the window, saw Arnold laying on the floor. The doors were locked, all she could do was break in.
Racing to Arnolds side, she couldn’t believe the state of him. Blood covered his face and she didn’t know whether to move him or not. Taking his wrist, she felt for a
pulse, it was hardly there.
Grabbing the phone, from where Arnold had dropped it, she dialled Mr Peterson who said he would get the ambulance there asp. All she could do was reat Arnolds head in her lap and try and wipe some of the blood from round his mouth.
The ambulance arrived within 5 minutes and the paramedics took over. They put him on a stretcher and were on their way out when one of them shouted.
“We’re losing him, grab the resuscitator”
It took about 5 minutes but they got him stable and Tanith rode in the ambulance with him. Once at the clinic, she phoned to see if Oded was back. Not being there yet, she left a message that he was to get to the clinic, Arnold was hurt bad and she didn’t know if he was going to make it this time. Three hours later, Tanith was still pacing the floor when Oded walked in. She ran to him and sobbed in his arms.
“Where is he, will he be alright?”
“He’s in surgery, and I don’t know anything yet, Oded he died twice in the ambulance, she really went over the top this time”
“As God is my witness, if he dies, she will too, I won’t stop till I hunt her down and kill her, I swear” stormed Oded, his temper well above boiling point. “I want her
to pay for this”
“She will, I’ve given her description and photo to the police, they are looking for her. They said it’s attempted murder”
“Then I hope they find her before I do, what was he doing there?”
“From the case by the door, I think trying to leave, I wish I’d never let her go last night, maybe this wouldn’t have happened”
“Don’t blame yourself, she’s sick, to do this to someone you love”
“Look Oded, would you mind if I left, I can’t leave the boys again, will you be alright?”
“Yes, go on, you get home, I’ll phone you as soon as I know anything, take the truck, I’ll get a cab”
“Oh, Tracy’s pickup is still outside Arnolds”
“Ok, I’ll get that, give me the keys”
They kissed each other and she left. As she got into the truck, she just broke down, then she drove home only to find more trouble when she got there. Jane had been there trying to take the boys but Tracy wouldn’t let her have them.
“Thank God, all Oded needs is to lose them and he would crack”
“How’s Arnold, what Happened?”
Tanith told her while Tracy made her a coffee.
“I’m so scared Tracy, I love Arnold dearly, I know he’s Odeds brother but I feel as though he is mine too. When I found him, he didn’t look like a wrestler, he looked like a child and I just wanted to hold him but I didn’t dare touch him. He died twice on the way you know”
Her voice broke and Tracy put her arm round her. Tracy lived alone except for her two boys and liked Arnold herself. She made a vow to go and see him as soon as she could.
“Come on, you go and get some rest, the boys are playing in the yard with my two, they’ll be alright”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dangerous Love continued